From many a city, men who wield the spear, Withstanding my attempt to overthrow That populous town. Nine years of mighty Jove Have passed already, and the planks that form Our barques are mouldering, and the cables drop In pieces, and our wives within their homes, With their young children, sit expecting us; Yet is the enterprise for which we came Still unperformed. Now let us all obey The mandate I reveal, and hasten hence, With all our fleet, to our beloved homes; For Troy with her broad streets we cannot take.”